Die-cut form



April 22, 1969 I V, s rr 3,439,444

DIE-GUT FORM Filed March 4, 1966 7 //Vl/EN7'O/? GEORGE L. M SM/TH United States Patent 3,439,444 DIE-CUT FORM George L. V. Smith, 1116 Washington, Alton, Ill. 62002 Filed Mar. 4, 1966, Ser. No. 531,839 Int. Cl. A63h 33/16, 33/30; A45c N12 US. Cl. 46-1 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates in general to amusement devices and, more particularly, to a die-cut form capable of being folded into myriad types of figures, such as of animals and the like.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a die-cut form constructed from a single blank of foldable material, such as cardboard, paper, or the like for presentation, when in folded form, of an animal or like simulative object and which is so uniquely constructed as to be resistant to disassembly.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a die-cut form of the type stated which, when folded into fully assembled condition, is adapted to present a fully enclosed structure capable of providing a receptacle as for coins or the like and which is competent to support relatively substantial loads.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a die-cut form which is capable of being folded into fully assembled condition and being retained therein without utilization of extrinsic securing means such as by cementitious materials.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a die-cut form which is so designed as to present an integrated, strong-formed structure; which is most economical in manufacture; which may be readily folded into assembled condition by individuals of all ages; and which is of broad versatility for presenting a wide range of objects which are capable of maintaining a standing or animated-like position.

Cther objects and details of the present invention will be apparent from the following description when read in connection with the accompanying drawing (one sheet) wherein- FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a die-cut form constructed in accordance with and embodying the present invention, being designed for simulating a stylized hog-like animal.

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the die-cut form in fully assembled condition.

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view illustrating the diecut form in partially assembled condition.

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the die-cut form in partially assembled condition but with one side removed.

FIGURE 5 is a, perspective view of the die-cut form in fully assembled condition.

Briefly described, the present invention contemplates a die-cut form as developed from a blank of cardboard, paper or the like which may be either plain or decorated 3,439,444 Patented Apr. 22, 1969 ice as desired, which form comprises a central, relatively elongated closure strip and a pair of symmetrical bodyforming portions extending laterally from said strip and being unitary therewith. The said body-forming portions are adapted to be folded into planar parallel relationship and being spaced apart by the transverse extent of said strip which, in accordance with the design, may widthwise vary through its extent, said strip being disposed in a plane perpendicular to said body-forming portions. The strip and the body-forming portions are provided with cooperating engaging means, such as tabs and slots, for integrating the said components into stable, assembled condition wherein the spacing between the said body portions is entirely enclosed throughout their peripheral extent. To present closure strip firmly in its assembled condition, flap members are provided on the periphery of said body-forming members, which flap members are folda-ble for creating a support for, underlyingly of, said closure strip. The form, when assembled, constitutes a substantially rigid unit, capable of resisting careless handling, as by children, without disassembly, and which, by reason of the relationship of the components, causes a development of a hollow, entirely enclosed body, which may, if desired, be used as a receptacle, such as in the nature of a childs bank.

As illustrative of the present invention, a detailed description of one embodiment will be set forth, but with the recognition that same is merely exemplary of the novel construction of the die-cut form and that thematerial utilized may be of any suitable bendable or foldable sheet character.

In the drawing, A generally designates a die-cut form stamped or pressed from a blank of sheet material and with the form in the present instance being designed to simulate in a stylized manner a hog-like animal. Form A comprises an elongated, narrow closure strip 1 from a portion adjacent one end of which laterally project opposed body portions 2, 2 which are of symmetrical configuration for providing a bilateral symmetry to the form to be assembled; there being fold lines 3, 3 along the juncture between said body portions 2, 2 and closure strip 1, with the intermediate portion of the latter constituting the back b of the resultant structure. In assembly, the said body portions 2, 2 will be folded downwardly along fold lines 3, 3, into substantially planar parallel relationship (see FIGURE 3) and, thus, in substantially planar normal relationship to the closure strip 1. Said closure strip 1 comprises a relatively extensive forward portion 4 which projects beyond the normally forward edges of body portions 2, 2' when form A is in unfolded condition; said strip 1 including a relatively short rearward portion 5 projecting beyond the rearward edges of said body portions 2, 2'. Closure strip 1 in its forward portion is divided into a series of segments, as indicated at 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 by transversely extending fold lines, indicated at F. The aforesaid segments are of varying longitudinal extent since the same is dictated by the particular contour or profile of the object to be formed, as will be more fully developed hereinbelow. The aforesaid segments may also be varying in width with such feature being determined by the precise relationship of the body portions 2, 2' when in assembled condition, such as if the same are in planar parallel relationship, then the segments of strip 1 would be substantially of uniform transverse extent, whereas if the said body portions 2, 2' are to be presented in non-parallel relation, then the said segments would differ widthwise so as to accommodate the spacing between said body portions 2, 2.

The said body portions 2, 2 throughout their peripheral extent are provided with outwardly projecting flaps which are symmetrically disposed for alignment upon assembly of the object. With die form A the matching flaps of body portions 2, 2' are indicated at 15, 15, 16, 16', 17, 17, 18, 18, 19, 19', 20, 20, 21, 21, 22, 22'; it being recognized that the number of such flaps is dependent solely upon the contouring of the body portions 2, 2' since each pair of said flaps are of substantially the same length as a corresponding segment of the forward portion of closure strip 1 for cooperation therewith in a manner to be presently described. Thus, for purposes of illustration, it will be seen that flaps 15, 15' are of like extent as segment 6 with flaps 16, 16' being of like extent as segment 7 and thus the said flaps are so related to closure segments with segment 12 cooperating with flaps 20, 20'. It will thus be seen that between the proximate ends of adjacent flaps throughout the periphery of body portions 2, 2', there is a spacing which will be aligned with the immediate overlying fold line F of closure strip 1. Each of the segments in the forward portion of closure strip 1 are provided on their opposite side margins with laterally extending tabs, as indicated at T, which are thus spacedly presented throughout the extent of said strip portion, and being bendable about lines of bending, indicated at g, for projection through cooperating slits s formed in the related flaps of the particular body portion 2, 2. It is apparent that the number of tabs T and slits s may be provided as a matter of choice but obviously it is desirable to maintain same at a reasonable limit so as to conduce to ease of assembly, together with maximum rigidity. In the present construction, closure strip segment 10 contains a pair of elongated apertures 23, 23' which at their rearward ends extend inwardly and rearwardly so as to be presented on converging axes; said apertures 23, 23 being presented for reception of tabs 24, 24' extending from the inner ends of the rearward segments 25, 25 of leg members 26, 26 which project outwardly from body portions 2, 2' respectively, between the related flaps 19, 20 and 19', 20'. The said leg members 26, 26' are provided with an intermediate laterally extending line of folding 27, 27 so that in assembly the rearward portions 25, 25 are brought forwardly and inwardly to present the related tabs 24, 24' for extension through apertures 23, 23 of closure strip segment 10 as above indicated; the said legs 26, 26 being thus formed to provide a stable V-shaped line of contact with the support surface (see FIGURE as at 28.

The rearward portion 5 of closure strip 1 is provided, in the present instance, with two segments 29, 30 which are likewise provided with laterally extending tabs t and delimited by transversely extending fold lines F. The longitudinal extent of said segements 29, 30 is such as to permit cooperation with flaps 22, 22' and 21, 21', respectively; the said last mentioned flaps are provided with slits S for cooperation with tabs 1 of the related segment 29, 30 as the case may be. Rearward portion 5 of closure strip 1 terminates in a tail-forming member, as indicated broadly at 31, and is provided with a longitudinal line of bending, as at 32, and with laterally extending increments 33, 34 from the end extremity for engagement as by means of a tab 35 and slot 36 arrangement so as to present a rigidifying end closure (see FIGURE 4). For completion of the four-legged animal to be presented by the assembled form, there are provided forward leg members 37, 37' which extend from the related body portions 2, 2' as between the proximate flaps 18, 19.

In order to assemble the particular object from form A, and with body portions 2, 2' being folded along line 3, 3' as above discussed, the forward portion of closure strip 1 is folded along its various fold lines F and with the tabs t being bent into planar normal relationship to the related segments downwardly with respect to the now upstanding body portions 2, 2 or into the plane of the drawing for purposes of orientation. The flaps projecting from the periphery of each body portion 3, 3' are bent into normal relationship with respect to the adjacent zones of said body portions 2, 2' and with the corresponding flaps of the said body portions 2, 2 being directed toward each other (as may best be seen in FIGURE 3), into planar alignment, thereby presenting the associated slits s for receiving the tabs of the related segments of closure strip 1 which are thus brought into resting disposition upon such corresponding flaps. This unique relationship may best be seen in FIGURE 3 wherein it will be noted that flaps 16, 16 are in planar aligned relationship for supportingly receiving upon their outer faces segment 7 of closure strip 1. Thus, throughout a substantial portion of its under face segment 7 is firmly received upon the said flaps 16, 16' which thereby provide a marked rigidity to the assembled structure. In the manner thus described each of the said segments of the forward and rearward portions of closure strip 1 are supportedly received upon the corresponding flaps of body portions 2, 2'. In the present instance, there is one exception and such relates to segment 9 which, in being at a narrow corner, is unsupported by flaps but the limited longitudinal extent thereof would not merit the necessity of such support. Accordingly, forward portion of closure strip 1 is bent so as to effect engagement of its various segments with the related flaps and slits throughout the forward and under portion of the object to be formed, as well as into the rearward portion such as by cooperation of segment 12 with flaps 20, 20. Rearward segments 29, 30 are then brought into similar relationship with flaps 22, 22' and 21, 21' to thereby complete the enclosure of the spacing which existed between body portions 2, 2' when presented in their original folded condition. Tail member 31 may then be suitably folded for bringing about the completion of the assembly.

The body enclosing character of closure strip 1 is clearly illustrated in FIGURE 5 which emphasizes the lateral support provided body portions 2, 2 by tabs T of the various closure strip segments. It will thus be seen that the present invention brings about an unusual interrelation of parts so as to develop a stable structure wherein, as aforesaid, the body portion flaps support the related closure strip segments and the said tabs give support to the body portions 2, 2'.

It is obvious that forms constructed in accordance with the present invention and as illustrated by die form A can be utilized for presenting an extensive range of objects by means of the unusual relationship between the body enclosing strip 1 and the symmetrical body portions 2, 2. The resultant, assembled device having a hollow interior could readily be adapted for receptacle purposes such as, for instance, a childs bank, into which access may be provided as through a slot 40 presented in back portion b.

I claim:

1. A foldable amusement device for simulation of animals and the like when in folded condition, comprising a single flat blank of bendable sheet material having an elongated central strip and a pair of symmetrical body portions projecting laterally from opposed portion of said central strip, there being fold lines at the juncture of said body portions and said central strip whereby the former may be folded in substantially planar parallel relationship and in substantially planar perpendicular relationship to the intervening portion of said central strip, said central strip being of such length as to extend entirely about the periphery of said body portions when the latter are in folded condition, tab members projecting laterally from the opposite sides of said central strip spacedly throughout its extent, said tab members being foldable about their jointure with said central strip ends substantially in planar normal relationship with respect to said strip, and means defining slots provided on said body portions for receiving said tabs for integrating the form into stable folded condition.

2. A foldable amusement device for simulation of animals and the like as defined in claim 1 and further characterized by said central strip being of such length as to effect overlapping in its opposite end portions when said device is in folded condition.

3. A foldable amusement device for simulation of animals and the like when in folded condition, as defined in claim 1 and further characterized wherein flap members are adapted to be folded with respect to the related body portions for disposition in planar normal relationship thereto and in surfacewise, supporting contact with the under surface of the central strip upon formation of the folded object.

4. A foldable amusement device for simulation of animals and the like when in folded condition, as defined in claim 3 and further characterized by each flap member of each body portion having a corresponding flap member on the other body portion of like extent for mutual disposition into planar aligned relationship when folded, and in planar parallel relationship to the proximate portion of the central strip. 1

5. A foldable amusement device for simulation of animals and the like when in folded condition, as defined in claim 4 and further characterized by said central strip projecting at each of its ends beyond the said body portions.

6. A foldable amusement device for simulation of animals and the like when in folded condition, comprising a single flat blank of bendable sheet material having an elongated central strip and a pair of symmetrical body portions projecting laterally from opposed portions of said central strip, there being fold lines at the juncture of said body portions and said central strip whereby the former may be folded into substantially mutual planar. parallel relationship and in substantially planar perpendicular relationship to the intervening portion of said central strip, tab members projecting laterally from. opposite sides of said central strip spacedly throughout its extent, said tab members being foldable about their line of jointure with said central strip into substantially planar normal relationship with respect to said strip, said body portions being provided spacedly throughout their peripheral extent with projecting flap members, there being an opening provided in the zone of jointure between said body portion and each of said flaps for receiving tabs of said central strip.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,929,543 3/ 1960 Feder 2298 X 2,337,931 12/1943 Rode. 3,355,087 11/1967 Turnbull.

ROBERT PESHOCK, Primary Examiner.

CHARLES R. WENTZEL, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 2298.5 

